Concentration method and apparatus



Sept. 8, 1931. B. A. MILLER CONCENTRATION METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1925 zuvEmpk MMMWX/ZZ Patented Sept. 8, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONCENTRATION METHOD AND APPARATUS Application filed August 4, 1925. Serial No. 48,983.

My invention relates to methods of and apparatus for separating the concentrate from the waste material, during sluicing operations, by abrupt obstruction and partial reversal of the flow.

One of the objects is to effect concentration of the valuable grade, from unclassified material, when the granular ore constituents are exceedingly fine and light.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrat ing a preferred form of apparatus for carrying out my invention,

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal elevated section of a flume having a converging bottom with a curved rifile and cleaver therein.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of an inclined flume containing a curved riflle without said cleaver.

Referring to the drawings, numeral '1 indicates a sluice having a converging bottom, inclined longitudinally. Numeral 2 is a curved rifile which is intended to be interposed in thepath of the flow, with a contracted passageway 2, between said rifiie and the sluice bottom. 8 is a cleaver positioned below said riffle having closure 3. Numeral 4 is a slot in the bottom of sluice 1. While I have shown only a portion of a flume, with a single riffle and cleaver, inactual practice said flume is, about thirty feet long, and adapted to the passage of water and pulp therethrough in a relatively dilute condition. Billie 2 is curved-in a segment, concave upstream, extending across sluice 1,

shaped to jet some of the material with whirling action partly upstream, and the bulk of said material to one side downstream, the concentrate dropping on the sloping 4 sides and being carried down, or falling direct into the bottom.

Arranged under said riffle is cleaver 3,

its upstream edge extending across the sluice.

Riiiie Qand cleaver 3, functioning in unison,

violently agitate the stream, and deflect the concentrate, regardless of the specific weight of the particles. Said cleaver is positioned so that the trapped concentrate will be sucked under and discharged by ejector action through outlet 4:, the vacuum formed. under riflie 2 aiding in pulling said concentrate through opening 2 under said riflle, and

causing it to discharge through outlet 4.

1 claim:

1. The method of hydraulic concentration, which consists in passing material in a relatively dilute condition over a concentrating surface, causing the steam to flow in a form vertically tapered to an apex, violently agitating the steam by an abrupt obstruction and partial reversion of the flow to keep the gangue in suspension until it oil-flows, and arresting the bottom flow at a predetermined point.

2. The combination of a longitudinally inclined sluice having a converging bottom formed with a slot therein and said sluice being provided with an inlet and an outlet,

a curved bafiie applied within said sluice and a cleaver extending across said sluice under said baflie and elevated a short distance above said slot. 7

3. The combination of a longitudinally inclined sluice having a converging bottom, there being a slot in the bottom of said sluice and a curved baflie applied within said sluice transversely of said sluice inclined upwardly from a point above the bottom toward the tail end of said sluice and adjacent said slot.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

BIANCA ADAMS MILLER. 

